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What Causes Sudden Bleeding In Nose?
Question: i have not had a nose bleed in probably years. This morning I was straining a bit during a bowl movement and a lot of blood came out my nose. I was surprised by the amount and then also surprised at how quickly it stopped - 1-2min tops. I feel fine, but wanted to ask. I am a 56yrs old male.
Brief Answer:
My answer is as follows
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Sir. Thank you for your question and welcome to HCM. I understand your concern.
I carefully read your query and, as I can see, you are also concerned about your familial history due to sudden death from heart failure. I do not think this is the case, and my opinion is to reassure you that nose-bleeding is not a sign or symptom of heart attack nor heart failure.
Your history is very clear and thank you for a great prescribing of your symptom. Strained bowel movement activity causes one to hold their breath while straining. This "breath holding" does not allow the blood to be pumped properly from the neck and above, and blood is pooled there. This causes a great deal of pressure, and most prone to be damaged are the fragile capillaries of the nose. If the amount of blood is small, then there is nothing to worry about, as this can happen to anybody. However, I would recommend you to see an ENT doctor (otorhinolaringologist), if the amount was concerning.
The stress you mentioned may be accompanied with high blood pressure, which, in turn, may cause a nose-bleed, because, as I said, the nose capillaries are prone to be damaged due to heightened pressure. As a cardiologist, I am worried since this may be the heralding sign of hypertension (referring that you are a part of the male population and 56 years old). Therefore, I recommend you to be put on a 24-hour blood pressure monitor, to see how blood pressure levels trend within a full day. This is a good diagnostic exam to confirm or exclude the diagnosis of essential hypertension. Based on the results, starting of treatment may be recommended.
I hope my answer is helpful. Feel free to ask follow-up questions, as I would be happy to help. Please rate the answer, if you do not.
Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton
My answer is as follows
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Sir. Thank you for your question and welcome to HCM. I understand your concern.
I carefully read your query and, as I can see, you are also concerned about your familial history due to sudden death from heart failure. I do not think this is the case, and my opinion is to reassure you that nose-bleeding is not a sign or symptom of heart attack nor heart failure.
Your history is very clear and thank you for a great prescribing of your symptom. Strained bowel movement activity causes one to hold their breath while straining. This "breath holding" does not allow the blood to be pumped properly from the neck and above, and blood is pooled there. This causes a great deal of pressure, and most prone to be damaged are the fragile capillaries of the nose. If the amount of blood is small, then there is nothing to worry about, as this can happen to anybody. However, I would recommend you to see an ENT doctor (otorhinolaringologist), if the amount was concerning.
The stress you mentioned may be accompanied with high blood pressure, which, in turn, may cause a nose-bleed, because, as I said, the nose capillaries are prone to be damaged due to heightened pressure. As a cardiologist, I am worried since this may be the heralding sign of hypertension (referring that you are a part of the male population and 56 years old). Therefore, I recommend you to be put on a 24-hour blood pressure monitor, to see how blood pressure levels trend within a full day. This is a good diagnostic exam to confirm or exclude the diagnosis of essential hypertension. Based on the results, starting of treatment may be recommended.
I hope my answer is helpful. Feel free to ask follow-up questions, as I would be happy to help. Please rate the answer, if you do not.
Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Naveen Kumar
Answered by
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